[Photo by Shawn Brackbill]
LVL UP put out their third album, Return to Love, this past September on Seattle’s own Sub Pop Records. Despite the band’s origins being way back in New York, first forming at liberal arts university SUNY Purchase, their sound has permeated the Seattle scene. Securing significant air time and an in-studio with KEXP, LVL UP has made themselves known. Their sound, characterized by subtly captivating lyrics and distorted guitars, balances hitting hard and slow building. Five Men on the Ridge displays the versatility of the group, starting hard with steady guitar and heavy drum flourishes, and then quickly pulling back to deliver the pop-influenced, lyrically-abstract melody that’s so central to their sound. In an intimate venue like Chop Suey, be ready to feel the guitars as you rock your angsty heart out.
Opening will be Palm, another four-piece formed at a small liberal arts college in New York. Known for their “made to be live” music, complex song structure, and foreboding musical presence, you really should listen to get it. Their debut album, Trading Basics, was released in November of 2015, and is easily accessible for a listen on Bandcamp. This is a set you’re not going to want to miss, so get their early!
Opening up the whole show will be Seattle native and favorites, Great Grandpa. If you haven’t already seen them around Seattle, this is another perfect opportunity to. Their 2015 release, Can Opener, was received with open, loving arms by the Seattle scene; the fast narrative of each song, coupled by tasteful fuzz, commands its own form of musical charm.
LVL UP with Palm and Great Grandpa will be at Chop Suey on March 5th. This show is all ages, and it starts at 7:00 p.m.! You can find more information and tickets here.
LVL UP: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp
MARIA KING | artificially flavored | KXSU Music Reporter